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Thursday, August 11, 2011

International Jazz Festival

So this is concert week on the blog I think, ha ha.
A few weekends ago Jonathan treated me to a massive treat...
a jazz festival in Toronto...


It happened like this...
we were in Toronto 3 days prior for the amazing U2 concert
and before heading back home we went for lunch
at which point I saw posters for the upcoming weekends International Jazz Fest...
Well my sweet-as-pie honey said that I looked at that poster so longingly, ha ha...
and that enough was enough, that the rabbits would be fine with their babysitter
and that he was taking his jazz nut to that festival because I've missed enough jazz in the city....
Awwww, I know I know, ha ha.... 
So we made the 4 hours trek down South once again.
It wasn't at all what I expected and was a hundred times better than anything I could of dreamt.

Let me share some of my favourite shots of the weekend
and show you who we were lucky enough to see...

The super talented Anne Lindsay started us off...


(Jonathan took some high def video that you can see right here)

Than we saw the awesome blues duo Braithwaite & Whiteley


(Check out the hd vid here)

Than the dizzying Yoel Diaz Quartet from Cuba...


(Check out the video we took right here...the keyboard-ist is super talented & super fast)

Than we really enjoyed Raoul & The Big Time
They were another blues band & put on a great show......

 
(Watch some groovy video here to see why we enjoyed them so much)

Than we took in and grooved to the funky funk band called Planet Earth with Ron Little Jon...


(Check out the video Jon took of them, right here, they were really cool)

Than we were amazed by the ultra talented Yiannis Kapoulas...
beautiful music with an Egyptian vibe to it...
(I think his will be one of the next cd's I order.)


(Check out the video from my honey, right here, you'll be amazed).

THAN....
One of THEE BEST shows we've yet to see...
An awesome funk group from New Orleans
They just so completely rocked the stage and turned the whole scene into a dance party
Jonathan lost his voice, I almost knocked down a metal fence, ha ha...


Dude rocked that trombone, holy smokes!!!
I admit I was quite smitten, ha ha
And they had one of thee best bassist ever.
They engaged the crowd & had top energy through the whole show, like we've never seen before.
Wow.
You gotta check out the video of them, right here.
(Though it doesn't do them justice & unfortunately our camcorder died on us so we couldn't get much).


Well, that was my first ever Jazz Festival...I'll never forget this weekend, not ever...


Toronto is so insanely lucky to have this event every year...
(When we lived in TO for 5 years I wasn't a jazz nut so I didn't eve know this event was taking place!)
we only got to enjoy 2 days out of 10 but it's certainly better than nothing because I think the last
jazz concert I super enjoyed/saw was in PEI 7 years ago!
I usually just crank it out in my studio stereo...
Jazz calms me down & gets into my soul like something velvety soft.
These are some of my favourite shots amongst over 500 photos, ha ha.
Thanks for having a look....and don't forget to boogey to the videos.

XO A Jazz Happy Mandy XO

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Lake of Stew at the Piebird

This past Sunday we spent the afternoon picnicking, listening to music
& basking in the goodness that is the Piebird, one of our favourite places...


It is truly a unique, relaxing and happy place...


Where you can fully immerse yourself in the beauty & freeing simplicity of the outdoors...


Where the band members zoom around on bikes...


Whiles a local act called 'The PineCone Collective' warms up the crowd...


And a guy rocks on an instrument called the Chapman Stick...


It is a place that nurtures, supports and hosts great and amazing talent...


Like the blue grass-ish/jug band from Montreal Lake of Stew...They were SO SO Excellent...


My honey took some great video...if you want to see them just visit
trust me they are worth a look & will have you stamping your feet... 


I am already looking forward to next years concert/picnic...
Thanks to Lake of Stew for putting on a super great concert and
Thanks to Yan & Sherry of the Piebird, a truly lovely and inspiring couple.


(Part of the Piebird experience includes goats but I thought I'd share the
goat photos with you in a different post just so this one doesn't get super long)

p.p.s.  I did a long post on the picnic/concert last year as well, just click right here to see it.

XO Mandy & Jon & 4 sleepy bunnies under a gloomy sky XO

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Something Different

Sometimes a gals just gotta play with her ink pens and do something abit different than her usual work....
such as this little trio of cats done in ink pen on canvas....
I still have to add some simple colour but here's a sneak peek...


Because there's nothing wrong with wanting to add abit of light, fun and cuteness to the world.

XO Mandy, Ella Luna, Roo, Jin and Jaks XO

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Owlette Obert & Rabbity Romps

Today I show you the last of my creations in the "Owlette" series...

This little guy's name is 'Obert'


I am sure I'll be making more of these little guys. 
I just have to make sure to cut the owl shapes before winter hits because
than I can't get to my tools & scroll saw in the garage.

....

I've been working on the most adorable little felt/stitched/beaded brooches and I can't wait to show you.
but right now I am rushing off to bring our precious Ella Luna outside.
It's been a somewhat stressful balance of making sure my little one gets enough exercise for her
leg troubles but than again not too much exercise...
it's hard hard hard to see my sweet girl get old and to not be as nimble as she once was...
Jon can tell when my hearts squeezing & is feeling all crumbly and he's constantly passing along the assuring 'She's Okay Mandy...we all get old and rickety'
...But still, I think my heart flips about 100 times a day because
a lifetime with this precious heart isn't nearly long enough...
but enough of that...
and outside we go.

Have a wonderful day everyone and
thanks for hopping in.  I hope your all able to get outside and enjoy the day with your furry hearts.

XO Mandy & Ella Luna XO